Disclaimer: This New Year’s Eve Recap is not for Dork-a-phobes.
We had a GREAT time on New Year’s Eve. We were invited to the home of two of our oldest friends; actually they are our oldest “Couple” friends. (does that make sense?) Dawn and Scott live almost 90 minutes south of here and we only get together once or twice each year; although I wish we lived closer, our time together always ends up being worth the wait.
Due to the length of the drive to and from their house, I was trying to figure out who I would ask to give Roxie a potty break while we were gone when Dawn completely lost her mind generously offered to have Roxie down as part of the party too!
Ugh. Jim and I were nervous. Roxie is very socialized (she goes to play with her doggie friends at Doggie Day Camp now and then, remember?) but she hasn’t been in the car for that long–ever–and I was worried she’d either bark at Dawn’s older lab, Dutch, the whole time or just be a general pain in the booty. Also, Dawn’s other dog, another lab named Duke, passed away this summer. I was a little worried that Roxie would rock Dutch’s world, being in “his territory”. But we decided to go for it.
Challenge #1? The car ride. Normally when I take her to Petsmart or to the vet (both less than ten minutes from home), she sits in the passenger seat (in the front) and barks at people in other cars when we’re stopped at a traffic light. I have finally gotten her to the point where she will lay down and not pay so much attention, as long as I’m petting her. This time, we brought a blanket for her and the boys took her in the backseat with them.
Success! She did fine.
Challenge #2? Meeting Dutch. Roxie was totally excited to get in the house and ended up ignoring Dutch, who was vigorously trying to greet her in that way that dogs greet each other. It was sort of funny: she really didn’t care about him. Relief! For a second. Then Dutch–well, shall we say–started attempting to molest her. And he was having a hard time taking “No!” for an answer:
So we ended up having to separate them, so Roxie could come off the leash and we could all relax. Dutch hung out in the finished basement with the boys while they played video games, and Roxie hung out with us while we played cards upstairs. It was all good in the hood.
The guys were *totally* intimidated when I pulled out the tiaras. Totally. (and if you believe that, I’ve got a bridge to sell you.) But Dawn and I looked amazing, wouldn’t you agree?
One of the best things about getting together on a rare basis with old friends is that you talk about the same things and tell the same nostalgic stories you have for YEARS. And it’s fun. We also play the same card game every single time we see each other: Spades. We used to switch up partners now and then; we’ve all been each other’s card-playing partner and I have fun no matter who is on my team…but at some point we stopped switching and it’s been boys vs. girls ever since. Dawn and I always underbid, always. We always talk about our invisible “Strategy” (the one that never works). We always cheer (literally) and clap between hands, especially hands that we’ve won. Example?
“Go!” (clap)
“Girls!” (clap)
“Go!” (clap clap)
I know. We’re dorks. But proud of it. On New Year’s Eve, we found ourselves in a position we’ve NEVER, in all our years of playing this game, been in. We had one point. Uno. Eins. Une.
Not to worry. We didn’t.
As the evening went on, Scott pulled out some special drinkware. Seems that he collected the 2001 series of Lord of the Rings glasses from Burger King. They light up.
And so did we.
The cutest comment of the evening? When Scott declared that Jim and I are the only friends they can get together with and use these glasses. (That’s probably right.)
Roxie even felt the love, and wanted to be a part of it:
At about 10:50 Central time, we headed downstairs to watch Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest for ten minutes with the boys, until the ball dropped in New York, one time zone ahead. I adore watching the ball drop in Times Square, and I love watching Dick Clark embrace his wife at midnight. They are adorable.
Back upstairs, we celebrated “Happy New Year” part one! (for another hour, anyway)
The card game went on. Watch my mad “trumping” skillz.
But they weren’t enough to win. Oh well. Note our *incredible* comeback from ONE POINT! Woo hoo! Go girls go! Superstars!
We started another game and, at close to midnight, went back downstairs to crack open the champagne and celebrate “Happy New Year” part two.
A great night, all in all. After some of these:
and some of this:
and a *bunch* of this:
I felt like this:
and after a while, we decided to call it a night. (We spent the night and stayed off the roads!)
There’s nothing in the world like time with old friends!
14 Comments
Anonymous
From Dawn:
Thanks for coming! It was a great time and a wonderful way to ring in the new year! 🙂
Next time…we’re going to beat their pants off fer sure!
nonna
that looks like so much fun! my NYE was a total snore, thanks to hubby crashing at like 10pm. oh, well. there’s always next year 🙂
glad you didn’t have any probs transporting your dog. any time i’ve tried to take a dog on an extended car ride they have an accident (from one end or the other either)
Weaselmomma
Sounds like a great time! Especially for Roxie!
Melissa
Ooof! All of that alcohol mixed together? Your lucky you only felt like a dawg! 🙂
I’m glad you had a fun time ringing in the New Year! And that Roxie has no long lasting ill effects from all that molesting…first doggy daycare, then doggy counselling.
k a t i e
It sounds like a really fun night 🙂 And I love the photos!
Melisa with one S
Dawn: TOTALLY, next time. Or not. I don’t even care. LOL! (clap)
Nonna: Eeew! We have friends who have a dog like that. They can barely get her to the vet for shots without it being a–ahem–big mess in the car on the way.
Weaselmomma: I’m not sure if she had a great time because we stopped the molesting attempt, or if she would have had a great time if we didn’t (EEEW, I can’t believe I’m typing that)…but I know that *our* evening was much better by putting them on different floors! ha ha
Melissa: Ha! Actually, I felt fine til I got into bed. That’s when it hit me. But just a headache the next morning and life went on. Yay me!
Katie: It really was fun. Can’t wait til our next get-together…
NukeDad
Just told Buddy and Penny about you guys taking Roxie on a road tour. They’re wondering why you would set her up with a dog named “Dutch”. Was “Bugsy” busy? “Snakes” feeling under the weather? “Baby-Face” in the kennel? Seriously, next time you want to let Roxie hang out with the gangsta-hounds, call us. We’re a better influence. 😉
Michelle
Oh how fun. I love playing cards, and it’s so rare to find the time with small children… glad you enjoyed your New Years!
But man… those glasses. You almost lost me there 😉
Huckdoll
OMG, Melisa, you’re a total riot!! I loved this post so much…you guys totally know how to party and I’d LOVE to party with you!! Not dorks at all. Moet! Yuuuum.
Melisa with one S
Nukedad: *giggle*, then “Hey, hey…hey!!! Don’t you know that labs are more likely to have a different sort of name from a beagle?” (Baby-face? ha ha) Dutch was a total gentleman…once he was in the basement. Are you saying that Buddy would be less-likely-to-molest? 🙂
Michelle: Ha! The glasses were awesome. You totally would have loved them. Maybe.
Huckdoll: Thanks for saying I’m a riot. hee hee
Oh My GOFF!
Roxie is Rockin’ it and I like it! Happy New Year Melisa! Man I could have used your comeback luck in the casino at Atlantis. {sigh}
Don Mills Diva
That wasn’t a dorky New Year’s Eve at all – it sounds and looks like a blast!
Happy New Year Melisa!
Anonymous
From Dawn:
Hey Nukedad…don’t you know that labs are sweet animals and they LOVE all creatures? They just like to show their love towards some more than others! 😉
Melisa (with one S haha)…We’re number one! :spirit fingers:
Kim M.
OK – You had me laughing out loud in this one… trying to imagine Roxy barking at the neighboring cars… I’d roll down my window and say “it’s okay little girl, it’s just me in my Prius.. aren’t you cute” but said in that talking-to-an-animal kind of way…
The pic of her with her tail bent down behind her is histerical… and the one of her with the new years hat too big for her head is really cute too. I was really hoping the game you said you play every year is eucher… but alas it was spades – a game i never learned… sigh. glad you guys had a nice time… looks like a really down to earth fun group.
xoxo
wk